On the state of universities 

Published: December 28, 2016 22:14:23 | Updated: October 22, 2017 19:54:34

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The Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) at a press conference on December 18, 2016 presented its findings on various types of corruption and moral degradation in public universities. The TIB report alleged bribery up to Tk.2.0 million in appointment of a lecturer, violation of rules by dubious means, various malpractices and moral turpitudes with long term effects. The association of university teachers has, however, repudiated the allegation of bribery in the appointment of teachers.
Meanwhile, there has been a mushroom growth of private universities which unfortunately are mainly concerned with quantity not quality.   
Few seminars and cultural programmes are held on the campuses of higher education while violence is rampant, particularly in the public universities.  A strong civil society initiative was undertaken in 2000 under the banner of Nagorik Samaj. It undertook a signature campaign for eliminating campus violence countrywide. Rallies were held in front of the Sangsad Bhaban, National Press Club and educational campuses. 
Various students' organisations carry out partisan activities on the campuses. But there has been no elections to the Dhaka University Central Students Union (DUCSU) and Hall unions although fees are collected every year. Newspaper reports show that Dhaka University, Rajshahi University, and Jahangirnagar University and Jagannath University are dominated by the Chhatra  League, the student front of ruling Awami League. In Chittagong University, 13 groups of students fought about 50 skirmishes in  one year. 
Interestingly, elections to teachers' associations of various universities are held irrespective of regime or government change in the country. 
The University Grants Commission (UGC) says it cannot take any action against corruption, irregularity, non-transparency and fraudulent activities by different Universities.  
Private universities were deemed an escape route from campus violence and session jams. But there is no democratic culture among students in these institutions. 
 Muhammad Quamrul Islam
[email protected]
 

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